The Feast of Our Lady of the Snows was established in April 1781, the result of an agreement between the rector (bureaucrat), the Parish Works Board, the mayor and six councillors. This decision arose following the severe hailstorm of August 5 of the previous year, which devastated vineyards and fruit trees. As a sign of protection and gratitude, the Marian patronage of Our Lady of the Snows was adopted, coinciding with the date of the calamity.
Since then, this new celebration began to consolidate, which over time imposed itself on other older and more popular ones, such as that of Sant Antoni Abat.
The agreement established the celebration of a feast with a procession and sermon in honour of the Virgin Mary. Thus, since the end of the 18th century, Vilanova i la Geltrú has recognized her as its patron saint, and every year the people of Vilanova renew this bond through the People's Vow.
From its beginnings until a few years ago, this Vow was manifested as a religious procession around the parish church. From 1966, however, the celebration took on a more civil character, becoming a Marian event in which the mayor and the rector intervened, alternating prayers, songs and a final fireworks display. This event has been maintained to this day under the name of the Renewal of the People's Vow.
You can download the program in PDF format here
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